tidings, and who publish peace to mankind, and say unto Zion, Thy God reigneth."

3. If the incarnation of Christ be a joyful event; an event of so much importance as we have heard, then it should be attended to, and received with joy by all mankind. The hearts of all intelligent creatures ought to be affected with excellent things, and they ought to attend with joy to the discovery of them. If it were desirable, that this event should take place, it is desirable, it should be known and rejoiced in, by every creature in heaven and earth. And how can it be known and received with joy, unless the means, by which it is communicated, be attentively regard. ed? Need I say, that the gospel is the only medium, by which the excellent things of redemption are conveyed to us; and it is of great importance that the report of the gospel should be regarded with gratitude and joy? Though it be a most joyful event, that Christ came in the flesh, to open a way for the salvation of men, yet final salvation is limited to those who love and obey him. "But how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" They therefore, who feel no interest in this report; not so much as to excite them to attend to the gospel, have no reason to expect salvation by Christ. Of all the creatures in the universe, none are so interested in these glad tidings as men. "Unto you," shepherds, to you, men, said the Angel, "is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." "Verily he took not upon him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham." Angels were happy and

would have continued so, had not a Saviour been born. But without him, what would your situation be? Would it not be now as hopeless as that of apostate angels? Are you not fallen creatures, condemned by the holy law of God, exposed to his wrath, and liable to sink into hell? The birth of a Saviour for you is the only thing, which renders your salvation more hopeful, than that of fallen spirits. The gospel brings you this information, and calls upon you to embrace these glad tidings. Should a poor guilty malefactor condemned to die, have the news of pardon brought to him, with what transport of joy would he receive it? But would this news be so important and interesting as the gospel brings to sinners? From what is he delivered? From a momentary pang-from a short scene of suffering; yet the messenger who brings the glad tidings is welcomed; every word of his message is heard with the deepest attention and interest. But the gospel reveals a way of escape from a death infinitely more dreadful. Why then will you not seriously and attentively regard the glad tidings of the gospel?

4. If the incarnation of Christ is such an important and joyful event, we discover, in an affecting light, the stupidity and wickedness of sinners who disregard it. Gospel sinners discover vast blindness and stupidity of mind; for the scheme of redemption is particularly calculated for their advantage, and should gain their attention, and excite their joy and gratitude to God, above every other part of his creation. But instead of this, of all parts of God's creation, they are the least

affected with it; least regard it and learn the least from it. Angels in heaven, study this wonderful scheme with admiration and delight, and are constantly increasing in the knowledge of God, and praising him for the displays of his wisdom and grace in redemption. For a time, they left their bright abodes and came down to learn the mysteries of God in the little city of Bethlehem. Redemption contains those

things into which they desire to look." Devils are attentive to this marvellous design. When the Saviour appeared in the world, they were as much engaged to tempt and destroy him, as the angels to proclaim his birth. Though they do not rejoice in this work, yet they regard it with deep attention and concern. Indeed we have no reason to doubt, but the eternal state of every rational being will be sensibly affected by redemption. Heaven itself to all eternity will, in consequence of redemption, be a different place; different in its inhabitants, its employments, and its happiness; and hell will be infinitely more dark and gloomy. Deeper sighs and lamentations will fill the abodes of despair. Sinners alone conduct as though there were no wisdom, nor grace displayed in the gospel; and as if they had no concern in it. Sinners treat Christ, as if all that he had done was of no importance to them. They feel no interest in those glad tidings in which angels rejoiced. How little do sinners consider the consequences of living under the gospel-that it will raise them high in glory, or sink them low in hell. O how criminal is blindness, to the glory of redemption, and indifference to

its objects and consequences. All this blindness and indifference to the wisdom, holiness and mercy held up to their view in redemption arise from wickedness of heart. Were not the heart exceedingly sinful, it would be impossible for sinners to be insensible to the glory and importance of the gospel. This wisdom, which is emphatically called the wisdom of God, is accounted foolishness with men. O dreadful effect of sin! All this stupidity and blindness in sinners, who live under the light of the gospel, are the effects of sin. It can be nothing but a wicked heart which can blind men to the glory of the richest and brightest displays of Jehovah; displays which angels admire. Are there not multitudes even in lands, where the beams of the Sun of righteousness shine in full splendour, "who see no form nor comliness in him why they should desire him?" Blessed be God, there are some whose eyes are open to see, their ears to hear, and their hearts to understand, and love Christ and his salvation. But multitudes are wholly blind, by reason of sin, to all the wisdom of God in the manifestation of Christ in the flesh, They see nothing in this scheme of grace that is any way wonderful and glorious, Though angels admire and sing, "glory to God in the highest," yet multitudes of men who enjoy the gospel here on earth, take but little notice of it. So it was in the time of the apostles, "the preaching of the cross was to them that perish, foolishness," and so it still is. But it was then, and still "is to them that are called, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." Many who hear the gospel

all their days never see any peculiar wisdom and grace in it. It never gains their attention nor affects their hearts. The wisdom of God displayed in redemption to the surprise of angels, is neglected by poor perishing sinners, who can have no hope, but through this infinite grace. O sinners embrace these glad tidings-join with angels in their love and praise to the Saviour, and through him, you shall be their companions in the songs of eternity.